Batman: Arkham City cover art

Batman: Arkham City

by Rocksteady Studios · published by WB Games

Released October 18, 2011 on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.

Batman: Arkham City Trailer thumbnail

About Batman: Arkham City

Batman: Arkham City builds upon the intense, atmospheric foundation of Batman: Arkham Asylum, sending players soaring into Arkham City, the new maximum security "home" for all of Gotham City's thugs, gangsters and insane criminal masterminds. Set inside the heavily fortified walls of a sprawling district in the heart of Gotham City, this highly anticipated sequel introduces a brand-new story that draws together a new all-star cast of classic characters and murderous villains from the Batman universe, as well as a vast range of new and enhanced gameplay features to deliver the ultimate experience as the Dark Knight.

At a press conference held by Bruce Wayne to declare his opposition to Arkham City, TYGER mercenaries arrest and imprison him in Arkham City. Hugo Strange discloses his knowledge of Wayne's dual identity as Batman before releasing him into the prison's criminal populace. While Strange prepares to commence "Protocol 10", Wayne obtains his equipment via airdrop from Alfred Pennyworth, allowing him to become Batman. He first saves Catwoman from being executed by Two-Face, who hopes to gain respect by murdering her. After Joker attempts to assassinate Catwoman, Batman tracks him to his hideout in the Sionis Steelmill, believing Joker may know the truth behind Protocol 10. There, Batman learns that the unstable properties of the Titan formula are mutating in Joker's blood, gradually killing him. Joker captures Batman and performs a blood transfusion on him, infecting him with the same fatal disease. Joker also reveals that Gotham hospitals have been poisoned with his infected blood. Desperate to save himself and innocent citizens, Batman seeks out Mr. Freeze, who had been developing a cure but has since been kidnapped by the Penguin. Tracking Penguin to the Cyrus Pinkney National History Institute, Batman defeats his forces, his imprisoned monster Solomon Grundy, and ultimately the Penguin himself, before liberating Mr. Freeze. Freeze tells Batman that he has already developed the cure, but its instability renders it useless. Batman deduces that the restorative properties of Ra's al Ghul's blood can complete the cure. Batman tracks one of Ra's al Ghul's assassins to his underground lair, leading Batman into a confrontation with Ra's and his daughter Talia, Batman's former lover. With Ra's al Ghul's blood, Freeze is able to develop an antidote, but it is stolen by Harley Quinn before Batman can use it. When he returns to the Joker, Batman finds him restored to health. While the two fight, Strange activates Protocol 10, which is revealed to be a scheme to wipe out the entire population of Arkham City and destroy the criminal element of Gotham. The TYGER troops begin executing inmates as Strange launches missile strikes on Arkham's denizens from his base in Wonder Tower. A missile hits the steelmill, burying Batman under rubble. Before Joker can take advantage of the situation, Talia arrives and offers him immortality in exchange for sparing Batman's life. After escaping with the help of Catwoman, Batman is convinced by Alfred to end Protocol 10 before pursuing Talia and Joker. Batman infiltrates Wonder Tower and disables Protocol 10. Ra's al Ghul is revealed to be the true mastermind behind Arkham City and mortally wounds Strange for failing to defeat Batman. With his dying breath, Strange activates "Protocol 11", the self-destruction of Wonder Tower. Batman and Ra's escape, but Ra's commits suicide rather than risk capture. Joker contacts Batman, threatening to kill Talia unless Batman meets him at the Monarch Theater. Once Batman arrives, Joker demands the cure but is stabbed and apparently killed by Talia while distracted. Talia admits to stealing the cure from Quinn, when she is killed by a second Joker, still stricken with the disease. The healthy Joker that Talia stabbed then reanimates into the shapeshifting Clayface, who is revealed to have been masquerading as a healthy Joker all along at the ailing villain's request. Batman incapacitates Clayface, but Joker blows up the theater floor, sending Batman plummeting into Ra's' lair below. Batman destroys Ra's' rejuvenating Lazarus Pit before the Joker can use it, and drinks a portion of the antidote. Batman debates curing his foe but is attacked by Joker before he can act, causing the antidote vial to inadvertently smash. Batman admits that in spite of everything Joker had done, he would have saved him. After Joker finally succumbs to his illness and dies, Batman carries his body out of Arkham City. As Commissioner Gordon asks what happened, Batman places Joker's body on the hood of a police car and leaves in silence.

Release dates by platform

PlayStation 3NAOctober 18, 2011 · Out now
Xbox 360NAOctober 18, 2011 · Out now
PlayStation 3AsiaOctober 18, 2011 · Out now
PlayStation 3AUOctober 19, 2011 · Out now
Xbox 360AUOctober 19, 2011 · Out now
PlayStation 3EUOctober 21, 2011 · Out now
Xbox 360EUOctober 21, 2011 · Out now
PCNANovember 22, 2011 · Out now
PlayStation 3JPNovember 23, 2011 · Out now
Xbox 360JPNovember 23, 2011 · Out now
PCAUNovember 23, 2011 · Out now
PCEUNovember 25, 2011 · Out now
Nintendo SwitchDecember 1, 2023 · Out now

Reviews & players

Critic score9110 reviews
Steam reviewsOverwhelmingly Positive98% of 2.2K positive
Player score882701 ratings on IGDB
Playing now1on Steam at last update

PC system requirements

Official specs from Steam

Full specs

Minimum

OS *Windows XP, Vista, 7
ProcessorIntel Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz or AMD Athlon X2 4800+
Memory2GB RAM
Hard Disk Space17 GB free hard drive space
Video CardATI 3850HD 512 MB or NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT 512MB
DirectX®9.0c

Batman: Arkham City FAQ

When did Batman: Arkham City come out?

Batman: Arkham City was released on October 18, 2011 for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.

Is Batman: Arkham City on PlayStation 5?

No. Batman: Arkham City has not been announced for PlayStation 5. It is available on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.

Is Batman: Arkham City on Xbox Series X|S?

No. Batman: Arkham City has not been announced for Xbox Series X|S. It is available on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.

Is Batman: Arkham City on Nintendo Switch 2?

No. Batman: Arkham City has not been announced for Nintendo Switch 2. It is available on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.

Who is making Batman: Arkham City?

Batman: Arkham City is developed by Rocksteady Studios and published by WB Games and DC Entertainment.

Is Batman: Arkham City multiplayer?

No. Batman: Arkham City is single player only.

Is Batman: Arkham City good?

Steam players rate it "Overwhelmingly Positive" — 98% of 2,151 reviews are positive. Critics average 91/100.

What are the minimum PC requirements for Batman: Arkham City?

The minimum GPU is ATI 3850HD 512 MB or NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT 512MB. See the full minimum and recommended specs on our Batman: Arkham City system requirements page.

Batman: Arkham series

15 games in release order

Full timeline
  1. Batman: Arkham Asylum2009
  2. Batman: Arkham Asylum - Collector's Edition2009
  3. Batman: Arkham City2011
  4. Batman: Arkham City Lockdown2011
  5. Batman: Arkham Origins2013
  6. Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate2013
  7. Batman: Arkham Origins - Collector's Edition2013
  8. Batman: Arkham Knight2015
  9. Batman: Arkham Underworld2015
  10. Batman: Arkham VR2016
  11. Batman: Return to Arkham - Arkham Asylum2016
  12. Batman: Return to Arkham - Arkham City2016
  13. Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League - Deluxe Edition2024
  14. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League2024
  15. Batman: Arkham Shadow2024

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